One of the reasons why so many of us do not take full advantage of our garden and use it as often as we should is because it could do with a boost of heat.
Even in the summer, a breeze or the cooler evenings mean that many of us will retire to the warmth of the house even when it is dry and sunny outside. This means that we lose the opportunity to eat alfresco, socialise in the open air and enjoy an outdoor lifestyle.
The solution to gaining greater use of a garden is therefore to fend off any cool evenings and chilly breezes by adding a patio heater and, when it comes to patio heaters, there are plenty to choose from. Read on for a general idea of what is available.
One of the most common patio style heaters is the tower heater. This type of unit uses a gas bottle and has an open flame that burns some 2 metres (6 feet) above the ground. The flame and resulting heat are distributed via a conical head or cap and the strength or intensity of the heat can be controlled. These tower heaters are often quite cheap to buy an the propane or butane that they use can be replenished by having the bottle refilled. This type of heater offers a very immediate heat and it is stylish.
Another popular style of patio heater is the chiminea. These heaters are based on a design of South American bread oven and they are made of terra cotta or cast iron. Chimineas burn wood and this means that they have a nice woody scent. You can even influence the scent by adding certain types of wood like pear wood, or by the addition of herbs.
The chiminea needs fairly constant feeding and monitoring, but it looks good and the clay or cast iron body and chimney radiate and convect heat effectively.
The other type of patio heater is the infrared heater often called an infrared lamp. These heaters rely solely on radiation and they warm anything that their rays fall upon. This type of heater is probably the cheapest to run, but it depends upon sight lines and cannot distribute its heat by any means other than its rays.
Which heater is the best is a matter of personal choice and specific location. The tower heaters are perhaps the most popular with householders as they look good and attract attention, but the chimineas are increasing in durability and popularity.
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